Cheetah Reproduction Milestone at Kuno National Park

Context

A female cheetah translocated from South Africa recently gave birth to three cubs inside Kuno National Park, raising India’s total cheetah population to 38. The event highlights progress under India’s cheetah restoration efforts.

Kuno National Park: Location & Status

Geographical Position: Situated in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh under the Kuno Wildlife Division
Physiographic Setting: Part of the Central Indian Vindhyan landscape
Legal Evolution:
- Notified as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1981
- Upgraded to National Park status in December 2018

Habitat & Vegetation Profile

Tropical dry deciduous forests (north and south Indian types)
Dry savannah grasslands and scrub ecosystems
Riverine forests along perennial watercourses

Major Tree Species: Kardhai, Salai, Khair

Hydrology & River System

Kuno River serves as the primary water source
Forms part of the Chambal River basin

Faunal Composition

Herbivores: Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Blackbuck, Gaur, Four-horned antelope
Carnivores: Leopard, Dhole, Indian wolf, Striped hyena, Jackal, Jungle cat
Other Mammals: Sloth bear, Civets, Mongooses, Indian fox, Porcupine, Indian hare, Langur, Rhesus macaque

Cultural & Historical Features

Houses forts such as Palpur, Amet, and Maitoni associated with former princely states

India’s Cheetah Restoration Programme

Programme Type: First-ever intercontinental reintroduction of a large wild carnivore
Commencement: September 2022 with cheetahs brought from Namibia
Objective: Build a self-sustaining, free-ranging cheetah population through phased induction
Implementing Authority: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Technical Partner: Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)

Cheetah Subspecies Overview

Asiatic Cheetah

Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus venaticus
Historical Range: West Asia to the Indian subcontinent
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Status in India: Declared extinct in 1952

African Cheetah

Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus jubatus
Native Range: Eastern and Southern Africa
Habitat Preference: Open grasslands and lightly wooded areas
IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Source : The Hindu